Fresh from receiving major awards, Liam Knight and Will Pearsall will be looking to cap off a fine week with victory in the Holden Cup victory tomorrow.
The 20 year-old Entrance juniors were rewarded for their fine seasons at the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Awards on Tuesday evening.
Knight won the Russ Bull ‘Best and Fairest’ award while Pearsall collected the Holden Cup Players’ Player award.
A hard working prop, Knight represented NSW in the U20s Origin clash against Queensland this season.
“The last two months have been the best football I’ve seen from Liam,’’ said Sea Eagles Holden Cup Coach, David Heath.
“He has good footwork, has a big frame, and a big motor. We moved him last year from the edge to the middle and he has adapted well.”
Although many see Knight as a future front-row partner for Jake Trbojevic, Heath says he could also see him at lock.
“Liam has a different skillset to Jake in that Jake comes from that typical front-row mould,’’ Heath said.
“I think Liam could play 13 and have two other big forwards on the field with him.
“However, at 20s level, Liam belongs in the front-row but I can’t see why he couldn’t be an 80 minute number 13 in the NRL.”
Heath said one of Pearsall’s best assets was his attention to detail.
“Will prepares himself well. He watches the videos of the opposition, pays attention to what we plan to do, and nine times out of 10, he implements it,’’ Heath added.”
“He is a very good five-eighth and as a captain, he is still learning about control, discipline and not losing your head.”
Both will again be key men for Heath in tomorrow’s qualifying final against minor premiers Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium from 3.10pm. The match will be played before the Bulldogs-Dragons elimination final and will be shown live on Fox Sports.
